Gotham candidate Crossbow is sidelined with ankle chip

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.- Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin confirmed Wednesday morning that Crossbow has suffered a small chip in his ankle and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Crossbow, who was scratched Saturday morning from the Grade 2 Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park, is in Lexington, Ky., where he will undergo surgery to remove the chip.

“We had scheduled a van to New York to go to the Gotham and Alan Garcia was going to take off all his mounts here next Saturday to go up to ride him,” said McLaughlin. “We trained him Saturday morning, however, and noticed a bit of pressure in his ankle when he came back. I got him out on the road, looked him over, and decided if we were going to send him to New York we better make sure he was okay. We took X-rays and found a small chip. I just didn’t want to say anything at that point until we were able to inform all the necessary parties involved with the horse.”

Crossbow is owned by Darley Stable. He has won his last two starts, a maiden and a first-level allowance, with matching 86 Beyer Figures.

“We didn’t scratch him out of the Hutcheson because of the chip, he was scratched because of the post position,” said McLaughlin. “I wouldn’t say he is off the Derby trail because I don’t think he was ever really on it. He’s a nice horse, and he’ll be back, but is probably more of a sprinter. I’m not sure if we can do it, but if all goes well maybe we can make the King’s Bishop with him this summer at Saratoga.”